I like your Beef Stroganoff recipe and would like to make it here at the fire station. My problem is, having alcohol in the station is forbidden (lucky for you all). Is there something that I can replace the Cognac with which may bring a similar flavor?

I enjoy your site and have made quite a few recipes for the guys here, enjoyed them all.

Would flaming the alcohol off the correct amount of cognac at home and bringing it in a (mostly) non-alcoholic form (perhaps in an unobtrusive container with no markings) at least satisfy the letter of the law?

Mix your cognac with the amount of salt called for in the recipe. It is now 'cooking wine' and undrinkable (trust me). please only do this to the amount you need, don't ruin a whole bottle. Do they allow vanilla extract?